MEISO NO MORI CREMATORIUM | Formal analysis of the ceiling

The work explores the formal features of the ceiling of the building. A 20 cm thick shell, apparently without any formal rule, covers and protects the spaces of the crematorium, giving rise to a fruitful relationship with the surrounding landscape. Actually, the research shows that the shape plays an important role and contributes decisively to fulfill the structural function. Matsuro Sasaki has used a complex algorithm to change the initial shape imagined by Toyo Ito, in order to design the best structural form, with the smallest possible bending stress and the minimum of strain energy and deformation. The formal analysis of the main sections, those between peak and peak, shows the variation of the first and second derivatives. When f’(x) = 0 there is an horizontal tangent inflection point, and therefore a point of maximum or minimum. When f’’ (x) = 0 we have an oblique tangent inflection point, and so a changing of concavity. The sensitivity analysis is the key to understand the generation of this non–rational surface. The sensitivity analysis uses the mechanical theory that minimizes strain energy in a structure to create a rational free-curved surface. The changing parameter is the z component of each little piece of the cover. Every piece reflected on each other, so by changing the z component we change the shape and the global strain energy effort. The final step is to simulate the logic algorithm used to generate this shape. In this algorithm there are different parameters including the shape that compete to the structural system. Shape is not the result of this algorithm. This study shows how the form may be intimately linked to the structure and functional program.